Spatial Barcode Tissue Mapping for Precise Surgical Margins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to provide comprehensive spatial information about analyte distribution within tissues, particularly in determining surgical margins, leading to inadequate resection and potential recurrence of tissue abnormalities.

Innovation Solution

A method involving capture probes with spatial barcodes that hybridize to analytes in tissue sections, allowing for high-resolution spatial analysis and comparison of analyte presence across different locations to determine surgical margins and reduce re-excision risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional methods are used to determine surgical margins, then the process is simple and quick, but the precision and completeness of margin identification is insufficient leading to inadequate resection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical margin identification precisionVSAvoidmethod complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue section is divided into multiple spatial locations that are individually analyzed. Each location is processed separately with capture probes, allowing precise identification of analyte distribution across different regions of the tissue, thereby improving surgical margin identification precision while managing complexity through systematic segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method transitions from traditional two-dimensional histological analysis to three-dimensional spatial analysis by incorporating depth information through tissue sectioning and corresponding spatial barcodes. This dimensional enhancement allows comprehensive mapping of analyte distribution throughout the tissue volume, significantly improving margin identification precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If traditional resection methods are used, then the surgical procedure is straightforward, but the risk of recurrence and need for re-excision is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresection completenessVSAvoidtime to treatment completion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical margin identification is performed before the actual resection procedure using the spatial analysis method with capture probes and sequencing. This preliminary analysis provides a detailed map of analyte distribution and precise margin locations, allowing surgeons to plan complete resection in advance and reduce the risk of recurrence, thereby improving resection completeness without significantly extending total treatment time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The method provides detailed feedback on analyte distribution and margin identification that guides the resection process. By comparing analyte presence across multiple spatial locations, the system gives precise feedback on where complete resection is needed, improving the reliability of achieving complete margin removal and reducing the need for re-excision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise identification of surgical margins and reduces the risk of re-excision and recurrence of tissue abnormalities by providing detailed spatial analyte distribution data.

Implementation Method 1

a capture probe of the plurality of capture probes comprises (i) a capture domain that hybridizes to an analyte of the tissue section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNucleic acid hybridization:

Implementation Method 2

permeabilizing the tissue section and hybridizing the analyte to the capture domain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeabilization:

Data Source

PatentEP4421186B1Methods of determining a surgical margin and methods of use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 10X GENOMICS INC
  • EP4421186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4421186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided herein are methods of determining a surgical margin and the site and size of a tissue to be resected from a subject, and methods of use thereof.